Former fire chief becomes next general manager of Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours
Sault Ste. Marie, MI – Former city fire chief Scott LaBonte is now preparing to lead the next generation of boat tours in the Soo Locks. LaBonte is now the general manager in training of Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours, a private lock tour company that has been operating in Sault Ste. Marie for decades.
The current general manager Richard Brawley plans on retiring at the end of the 2022 season, but before he leaves he’ll be around to help train LaBonte and prepare him to run the tours on his own. LaBonte is currently working on obtaining his 100-ton Masters license, which will allow him to captain the boat on tours and cruises. LaBonte will also be working in the boats, ticket office and with the board of directors to understand all of the crew and office roles in the company.
According to Brawley, LaBonte was chosen for the job based on his experience in management, training employees, communications skills and familiarity with the area.
“When I left the fire department, I was open to new opportunities.” said LaBonte in an email. “Many of the skills from the fire department transfer well to my new role at Famous — from overseeing maintenance of trucks to the seasonal maintenance and inspection of boats, training our crew to ensure the safety of our passengers, plus managing a team, budgets and community outreach.”
The Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours have been teaching the history of Sault Ste. Marie and its well-known lock system for over 60 years. Since 1959, they have been making 90-minute trips up and down the St. Marys River on a trip that takes them through the locks. During the trip, passengers learn the history of the locks, which are the world’s largest parallel locking system, and how it supports much of the U.S. economy.
“The Soo Locks is a major attraction here and it gives visitors to our area and locals that opportunity to go through the locks and experience looking through it,” said Allie Brawley, communications liaison for Famous Soo Lock Boat Tours. “It’s a unique way to see our area and tour the area from the water. I’d say it’s had quite a place in history for the Sault Ste. Marie area.”
The Sault News
Plans finalized for Boatnerd picnic; freighter-chasing cruise tickets now on sale
Boatnerd is delighted to announce the return of its annual boat watching events in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annual Engineer’s Day (Friday, June 24) open house at the Soo Locks, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Boatnerd Picnic at Sherman Park, Thursday, June 23*
Optional: Three-hour Soo Locks Freighter Chasing Cruise aboard the tour boat LeVoyageur at 6 p.m. Friday, June 24. Buy tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/2p86wujf
Boat watching at Sherman Park and at Mission Point
Lots of friendly Boatnerds
*The Boatnerd Picnic will be Thursday, June 23, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Sherman Park, just west of the locks. Bring a dish to pass. Burgers, hot dogs, buns and condiments will be provided by Boatnerd. Free.) Save the date and think early about your travel plans and lodging. The event will be held rain or shine, but lets hope for shine!
The Boatnerd Crew
Obituary: Captain Thomas “Tom” Martineau
After putting up one heck of a fight, Captain Thomas “Tom” Martineau, 74, a longtime resident of Iron River, WI, formerly of Superior, WI and Duluth, MN, set sail for the last time on December 11, 2021, at his home after a lengthy illness.
Upon graduating from Superior Central High School in 1965, Tom set sail on the Great Lakes starting out as a “pearl diver” (dishwasher), before there were automatic dishwashers. Shortly thereafter, Tom was moved up to being an oiler, a deckhand, and several other mariner positions. He was suddenly drafted into the Army in 1968 and honorably served in the United States Army in Vietnam as an SP5(T) Commander in 1968 and 1969 on riverine patrol swamp boats and was awarded four Medals: National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.
When Tom returned home from Vietnam, he pursued his dream and love of sailing and worked his way to the top of the ranks. He served as a Great Lakes ship captain for most of his sailing career, spending 40 years with the former Inland Steel fleet. He retired in 2006, after 40 years of dedicated service. All who knew him would agree that Tom fit the role of captain with no “ifs, ands, or buts about it.” Gruff, focused, intelligent, and to the point, Tom commanded respect without demanding it. He was a gentleman, if one with a somewhat profane (but always entertaining) vocabulary. A strong moral compass and fierce determination shined through in all that he did. Tom was a model of responsibility and integrity to family and friends alike, and was a proud member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 4th, starting at 2:30 p.m. p.m. at the Slade-Goldberg Community Center, 8275 East Mill St. Iron River, WI 54847 during which time family and friends can share stories about Tom. Toms final wish was for family and friends to have “one hell of a party on him.” A feast and music in memory of Tom will be provided per Tom’s explicit instructions.
Military Honors will be accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post #435 Honor Guard at 4:00 p.m.
Born to Joseph and Myrtle Peterson (Kolek) Martineau on July 16, 1947, Tom grew up in Superior, WI and throughout his life proudly remembered and stayed connected to some of his North End roots. The third of five children, Tom and his elder siblings Edward and Maxine helped their mother raise their younger siblings Doug and Dennis after the unexpected death of their father at a very young age.
Tom maintained strong bonds with his siblings throughout his and their lives. He also knew how to “let his hair down,” which he would tell you while pointing to his nearly bald head with a jovial laugh, mischievous grin, and a twinkle in his stunning blue eyes. He enjoyed laughing and making people laugh, playing pool, fast cars (especially Dodge Chargers), riding his Harley Trike with his wife Debbie, camping in their toy-hauler, hitting the trails on his ATVs with his children, and making rounds on Deep Lake behind the wheel of their pontoon.
One cannot mention Tom without noting his many passions. First and foremost was his love and care of family. Secondly, his avid enthusiasm and affection for the Green Bay Packers. His enthusiasm for the Packers was expressed in numerous ways, but most notably in his rituals regarding lucky clothes and “rules” about not being able to move his discarded Velcro tear-apart Packer doll, and his Packer clothing wherever they may have been hurled during the most recent game, until the next game. Furthermore, one cannot mention Tom without noting his love of watching Minnesota high school hockey tournaments with his son Gary (A.K.A. BoBo). Tom was also a virtuoso in the kitchen and a master at the helm of a grill; plopping a perfectly grilled slab of prime rib down on your plate was one of many thoughtful ways Tom expressed his love for friends and family.
If you were lucky enough to be loved by Tom, you never had to question it. Always a straight shooter, Tom had no reservations about sharing what was on his mind or in his heart. As a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Tom’s compassion, generosity, wisdom, support, and patience had no bounds. Tom will always be remembered as “Dancing Bear” and as someone who inspired even the most reserved of us to dance right along with him.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife Debbie (Little) Martineau, Iron River, WI; children, Terri Martineau, and Gary “Bobo” (Debbie) Frederickson Martineau, both of Duluth; stepchildren, Heather (Douglas Wyant) Laakso, Port Wing, WI, Angela (Scott) Shober, Wrenshall, MN, Lacy Almonte, Superior, WI; and Willie (Katie) Hipsher, Duluth, MN; brothers, Doug (Jenny) Martineau, and Dennis Martineau (Rachel Austreng), of Superior, WI; grandchildren, Ashley, Tommy, Jennifer, Jessica, Elena, Lydia, Judah, Finnegan, Joshua, Otto, Alesannea; great-grandson, Jaxon, and 5 additional great-grandchildren; special nephew, T.J. Martineau, and nephews, John Dietel, David Dietel, and Paul Dietel; niece Holly Pollon; special friend, and first mate, Eric Treece, of Colorado; and Tom and Debs faithful canine companion, Daisy.
